|
|
|
|
|
|
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland is encouraging Christians to show their concern for the environment as a practical response to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg which begins on 26th August. But why should we as Christians be concerned? - Here are just a few reasons:
Theologically
1) The God we love and worship created the world, our environment, and cares about it.
2) God cared enough to create a world that was good. Gen. 1-3.
3) God has put us over the rest of creation. A special responsibility. Gen. 1.
4) "Because of the Incarnation, I salute all remaining matter with reverence." St. John of Damascus.
5) Because God cared enough to send his Son to die not only for us but for the restoration of the whole of creation (Rom. 8:22-23).
6) God's mission in Jesus is to restore humanity to a proper relationship with Him and a proper relationship with all creation.
7) The Salvation wrought by Jesus is in community, not alone. We are saved not as individuals, not as a species but as part of the salvation of creation as a whole. We are all bound up together. "In Him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28 (RSV) Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, and everything in between. All creation, including us continue because God so chooses. God did not stop creating at the dawn of time. God Father, Son and Holy Spirit keeps on creating, sustaining the life of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
all that is.
8) Lack of concern for the environment is now affecting the well-being of all people on earth, with the weakest and most vulnerable most being hardest hit. Therefore environmental action is also social action.
Practically
1) Self preservation and self interest.
2) To show that important secular issues, such as the environment, are important to Christians and that we have something to add.
3) To show by our words and action that there is a creator God and that He cares.
Official UN Website:
www.johannesburgsummit.org
CTBI, 35-41 Lower Marsh London SE1 7SA, Tel: 020 7523 2121, Fax: 020 7928 0010
website: www.ctbi.org.uk
The CTBI "CREATION CARE" Prayer
Creating God, you have given us a vision of a new heaven and a new earth…
Resources conserved
Earth tended
Atmosphere cleansed
Trees planted
Injustice ended
Oceans teeming
Nations at peace
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer
Alert nations, enthuse churches,
Receive our commitment and so entwine our lives with Your purpose
Earth and heaven will then sing of your glory. Amen
God bless you,
Nigel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Holy Baptism
We ask for God's continued blessing for all who have been baptized into God's family, the Church. This month we particularly pray for:
St. Andrew's Church, Northwold:
Rachael Lisiane Muir, baptized on 14th July.
"You are called and loved by God the Father and kept safe by Jesus His Son. May the Spirit who hovers over the creation of the world continually breathe His life into you. Amen."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
